Flight operations at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP) Karachi) faced significant disruption on Tuesday as 12 domestic and international flights were cancelled, affecting hundreds of passengers bound for various destinations. The cancellations included major airlines such as Emirates, Oman Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Airblue, Serene Air, Air Sial, and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
According to official reports, the cancellations were due to a combination of technical issues, scheduling adjustments, and operational constraints. However, authorities have not confirmed if weather conditions or logistical challenges played a role in the widespread disruption.
Among the affected international flights, Emirates flight EK-609, scheduled to depart from Karachi for Dubai, was cancelled without prior notice to passengers. Similarly, Oman Air’s flight WY-324, bound for Muscat, and Ethiopian Airlines flight ET-695, heading to Addis Ababa, were also grounded.
In the regional sector, Airblue flight PA-110 to Dubai was called off, disappointing several passengers who had planned to connect to further destinations. On the domestic front, Serene Air flight ER-560, which was due to travel from Karachi to Sukkur, was cancelled, affecting travel plans within Sindh province.
Air Sial, one of Pakistan’s private carriers, faced the largest number of cancellations, with five flights grounded. These included PF-123 and PF-125 scheduled to land at New Islamabad International Airport, PF-143 and PF-145 bound for Lahore, and PF-135, set to depart for Sialkot.
The national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also cancelled two major flights — PK-135 from Karachi to Lahore and PK-310 from Karachi to Quetta.
Passengers expressed frustration over the lack of timely updates and assistance, with many complaining about long waiting hours and rescheduling difficulties. Travel agents and airline representatives assured that refunds and rebookings were being processed, but advised affected travelers to confirm new schedules directly through airline helplines or official websites.
Authorities at Jinnah International Airport have stated that efforts are underway to restore normal flight operations, emphasizing that all affected passengers will be accommodated on the next available flights.
The cancellation of these 12 flights underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan’s aviation sector, including fleet management, technical maintenance, and operational coordination — issues that continue to impact travelers across major airports in the country.
